"We spent summer together with Kovalchuk, he praised SKA, told me about the organization, and that helped to make decision,'" Ponikarovsky said, according to Eronko.

Ponikarovsky played in two separate stints with the Devils in the past two seasons -- he was dealt to New Jersey in 2012 and, after signing with the Winnipeg Jets last July, was acquired by Lou Lamoriello in February. He scored twice in 30 games for the Devils and totaled seven points in 2013 after lighting the lamp seven times for New Jersey in 2011-12. The 33-year-old Ukrainian winger has played for six different NHL franchises (Maple Leafs, Penguins, Kings, Hurricanes, Devils and Jets) in a career that began in the 2000-01 season.

Devils players were pleased to see Ponikarovsky back when he was acquired again earlier in the 2013 season. "When he joined us last year, it made a big difference as far as our depth and size and how to handle us," Martin Brodeur said, according to The Star-Ledger's Rich Chere last February.